The Sutton and Cheam Conservatives’ parliamentary candidate has promised to fight “tooth and nail” to keep frontline services at St Helier Hospital.

Yesterday, the business owner and former councillor, Paul Scully, was announced as the party’s prospective MP ahead of the General Election in 2015.

High on his agenda is protecting healthcare services and ensuring St Helier Hospital is put on a steady footing.

He said: “I have lived the whole of my adult life in Sutton, raising my family here. My children were both born in St Helier hospital in the very maternity unit that is earmarked to be moved to Tooting.

“I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep maternity and A&E services local.

“My children have both attended Sutton schools. Being local is more than having an address in the area. I shop in the same shops, take the same trains and drive on the same roads as residents across the constituency.

“We care about the same things and if elected I will work tirelessly for residents, giving Sutton and Cheam a strong voice in Westminster to ensure the national policies help solve local problems.”

His campaign priorities also include making Sutton and Cheam a thriving place for business and securing enough school places for the borough’s children.